Method of testing pipe



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METHOD OF TESTING PIPE Filed Oct. 24, 1946 INYEN TOR. Hank W Berry.

HTTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 16, 1952 METHOD OF TESTING PIPE Frank W. Berry, Long Beach, Calif assignor, by decree of distribution, to Lois Berry Application October 24, 1946, Serial No. 705,457

Claims.

This invention relates to a method of testin pipe and particularly the tubing through which an oil well or the like is produced.

An object of my invention is to provide a method of testing pipe below the floor of the derrick, i. e., below the surface of the ground and while the pipe or tubing is being run into the well.

An object of my invention is to provide a method of testing pipe in a series of successive steps and while the pipe is being run into the well, stand by stand.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel method of testing pipe which consists in placing a movable packer in a stand of pipe and preferably at the lower end of this stand of pipe, then filling the pipe above the packer with water and then exerting pressure on the water to determine if the pipe is leaking. As subsequent stands of pipe are added, each stand is in turn lowered into the well and the packer is successively raised into the newly inserted stand of pipe, retaining the column of water above the packer each time that the packer is moved.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel method of testing pipe which is safe in that there is less danger to the workmen and is quite rapidly performed, and also eliminates the spilling of large quantities of water on the floor of the derrick, as is customary in methods now in use.

Other objects, advantages and features of in- -vention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing: Figure l is a side elevation of a stand of pipe inserted in a well, with parts broken away to serted in a well with parts broken away to showinterior construction.

Figure 4 is a sideelevation of a packer employed in my method.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l indicates the drilling table on the floor of the derrick 2. The derrick and the drilling table is shown diagrammatically because the details of this construction are usual and well known and form no part of this invention.

The pipe which is to be tested, for example, the production tubing of an oil well, is run into the well in a series of stands, each stand consisting of a number of lengths of pipe which are threaded together, or to connecting collars. The first stand of pipe shown at 3 is run into the well, and is then held in this position in the table I. A packer 4 is now run into the tubing, and is set at a point adjacent the bottom of the tubing. The packer 4 may be of the type shown in the patent to Brooder No. 350,655, October 12, 1886. However, I do not wish to limit myself to this particular type of packer, since other packers of a movable type may be employed.

The type of packer disclosed in my co-pending application can be released for movement up or down the tubing as desired, and also may be set for any desired point. After the packer 4 has been set in the tubing, a head 5 is attached to the top of the tubing and water is then forced through the head and into the tubing, to entirely fill the same. Pressure is then exerted through the head 5, preferably froma suitable air pump or the like, and the level of the water is noted in the tubing. If the water level drops, it is evident there is a leak in the tubing. The required pressure to test the tubing may vary, but an adequate pressure is exerted to check this tubing at the pressures which will be exerted up on the same when the tubing is in a deep well.

A rod 6 rises from the packer 4 to adjacent the top of the stand of pipe which is being tested, and this rod'can be engaged for the purpose of actuating the packer 4. After the first stand of pipe has been checked. the head 5 is removed and the second stand of pipe 1 is screwed on to the top of the stand 3. The rod 6 is now engaged by a suitable grapple, and the packer ,4 is released after which the second stand of pipe I is run into the well so that the top of the pipe'is just above the surface of the table. Note that while the second stand (and all subsequent stands) are run into the well, the packer 4 is held substantially stationary as far as vertical movement is concerned and consequently the column of water above the packer 4 will be retained with a possible loss of a small. amount of water which might leak past the packer. has been lowered, the acker 4 is again re-set, this re-setting being accomplished through the rod 6, the head 5 is attached to the top of the stand 1, enough water is added to compensate for any leakage, and pressure is again applied to the second stand of pipe, as previously described.

All subsequent stands of pipe as they are run .into the well are tested in the same manner heretofore described.

I have found that it is advantageous to check each stand of pipe as it is run into the well, since it is then possible to isolate any leak, and furthermore, since the testing occurs below the surface After the second stand of pipe I of the ground, there is little danger of injury to the workmen, and also water is not spilled on the floor of the derrick, creating a hazard.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A method of subjecting each of a plurality of elongated tubular members that may be connected in longitudinal sequence to substantially the same predetermined hydraulic testing pressure which comprises, disposing the first of said members in a vertical position with the lower interior end portion thereof in slidable fluid sealing contact with fluid sealing means that closes the lower end thereof, filling said first member with fluid to provide a fluid column therein, applying fluid pressure to said column to subject the interior of said first member to a predetermined hydraulic pressure for testing purposes, connecting a second member to the upper end of said first member, moving sa l first and secondtmeme hers in a longitudinal d on-relative to said means to transfer said fluidcolumnfromw s ie mber in said second member and Q '1 7 rea ms. meensi the w rendpf s n memb in a embe .elqeleaeedflu s cdlumrilsupporting position, and repeating said metallic testing operation by use of said column in said second member and said column in subsequent members in sequence as said members are connected to the uppermost of the tested members and moved relative to said sealing means into a testing position.

2. A method of subjecting each of a plurality of tubular members that may be connected in longitudinal sequence to substantially the same predetermined interior hydraulic testing pressure which comprises, disposing the first of said'members in an upright position with the lower interior end portion thereof in a slidable fluid sealing contact with a packer to close the lower end thereof, filling said first member with fluid to a predetermined level to provide a fluid column, applying a predetermined fluid pressure to said column to subject the interior of said first member to a known hydraulic pressure, determining after a predetermined length of time any decrease in the pressure on said fluid column in said first member, connecting a second member to the upper end of said first member rggxing sa id itudina l directidn 'felative r holding sa d packe stationary to fimberiinlzl movesaid flyid column in said firs said second m 'nibe'i' a tl'i' W ber to a predetermined level, and applying said predetermined fluid pressure to said column in said second member and to subsequent members in sequence in which said column is positioned after said members are moved into a testing position relative to said packer for testing purposes.

3. A method of subjecting each of a plurality of tubular members that may be connected in longitudinal sequence to substantially the same predetermined interior hydraulic testing pressure which comprises, disposing the first of said members in a substantially vertical position with the lower interior end portion thereof in slidable fluid sealing contact with a sealing means to close the end of said first member, filling said first member with fluid, applying a predetermined fluid pressure to said fluid and subjecting the interior of said first member to a known hydraulic head, ggnnecting a second member to said first member in a njend f tokend manner, moving said sealing means and said fluid above said sealing means upwardly l throug lps aid ilrt, ,member..,to n, position, where said sealing fine ans closes the lower end of said "sec nd member and said fluid is situated within .theccnfines ofsaid second member, and applying said predetermined fluid pressure to said fluid in said second member and to subsequent members in sequence after said sealing means has been moved to a position Where each of said members is in a testing position, relative to the sealing means.

4. A method of subjecting each of a plurality of tubular members that may be connected in longitudinal sequence to substantially the same predetermined interior hydraulic testing pressure by using a single fluid column substantially the length of one of said members which comprises, disposing the first of said members in a substantially vertical position with the lower interior end portion thereof in slidable fluid sealing contact with stationar fluid sealing means to close the 4 ber, filling said first member to provide a fluid column within the confines thereof, subjecting said fluid column to a predetermined fluid pressureto test the interior of said first member at a known pressure, connecting a second member to said first member at the end thereof opposite that engaged by said sealing means, moving said first and second members and sub cting secondmember and subse-- quent members in sequence to said predetermined fluid pressure after they have been moved into a testing position relative to said packing means to position said fluid column within the confines thereof.

5. A method of subjecting each of a plurality of tubular members that may be connected in longitudinal sequence to substantially the same predetermined interior hydraulic testing pressure by use of a single fluid column substantially the length of one of said members which comprises, disposing the first of said members in a substantially vertical position, with the lower interior end portion thereof in slidable fluid sealing contact with a stationary fluid packer to close the end of said member, filling saidfiifi; member to provide a fluid column within the confines thereof, subjecting said fluid column to a predetermined fluid pressure to test the interior of said first member at a known pressure, connecting a second member to said first member at the end thereof opposite that engaged by said packer, moving said flmtendsecend temp rs r 1 tosail to position said fiuid'colur'nn'iii ga'iagecona m eifll ber and said packer in the lower end of said second member, and subjecting said second member and subsequent members in sequence to said predetermined fluid pressure after they have been moved into a testing position relative to said packing means.

FRANK W. BERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,109,745 Hayward Mar. 1, 1938 r 2,216,268 Fritsche Oct. 1, 1940 2;287,340 Browall June 23, 1942 

